Open Streets Knoxville Just 9 Days Away; Check Out Map, Fun Activities!

The first-of-its-kind Open Streets Knoxville event is just nine days away. Check out the big list of fun activities being offered by clicking here: Open Streets Activities Map

What exactly is Open Streets Knoxville?

From 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, a mile-long stretch of Central Street, between Willow Street in the Old City and Oklahoma Avenue in Happy Holler, will be closed to motorized traffic. The temporary closure to cars will allow people to safely walk, bike, dance, play and create art in the street. There will be lots of socializing, eating and shopping as well.

Open Streets is often referred to as creating "pop-up parks" - creating safe, open urban spaces where people can socialize, express themselves artistically and see their city in a whole new way.

The event is hosted by Bike Walk Knoxville, with support from the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization and the City of Knoxville. Major sponsors include Three Rivers Market, AMBC, Old North Knoxville and the Knoxville Track Club.

Open Streets Knoxville is part of an ongoing phenomenon to promote health, walkability and making urban areas less defined by vehicular traffic.

In Bogota, Colombia, more than 1 million Colombians celebrate the “new Ciclova” as 121 kilometers are regularly closed to cars. Gil Penalosa, head of the 8-80 Cities foundation and former parks and recreation commissioner in Bogota, spoke at the Tennessee Bike Week in Knoxville back in April. He's one of the pioneers and enthusiast backers of the Open Streets movement.

The Open Streets concept is happening in dozens of cities. Nashville offered its Open Streets last summer. Atlanta did Open Streets last month. We're next!